all bugged out
September 9, 2008 · Print This Article
i’ve been away at the beach and have returned with a rather large number 
of mosquito bites. i’m feeling the itch now that i’ve returned and got to thinking about natural bug repellents for your body, and house!
you could smear garlic all over your body before attending all those the end-of-summer cookouts on your list. although, it won’t just be the mosquitoes, but the other cookout guests not socializing with you either.
why should you go organic in your bug spray?
DEET (N,N-DIETHYL-M-TOLUAMIDE) — you have to click the blue link to pass the email sign up
deet is a toxin– that website is even called pesticideinfo.org, iieks!
there’s still several good weeks of summer left, so here are some links wiht more info on natural bug repellents:
hello, my name is mosquito magnet. - suggestions from ideal bite
natural bug repellents
natural mosquito repellents (marigolds, mint, cayenne pepper) — from ecoble (browse this website for even more green tips)
mosquito repellent recipes (claims that both listerine and catnip work for this) this is a forum, so you have to weed through the posts.
natural inscet pest control — also shows solutions for ants (set out cucumber slices or mint tea), fleas (for pets), flies, and even cockroaches (i was under the impressions that not even a nuclear attack could kill off these things…)
cinnamon wards off mosquitoes
zzzt! help!
- Citronella Oil
- Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Castor Oil
- Rosemary Oil
- Lemongrass Oil
- Cedar Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Clove Oil
- Geranium Oil
- Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic
Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.
or, if you’re not into making your own concoctions:
Earth’s Best by Jason Natural Insect Repellent Spray
earth friendly shopping bug spray
i bought this all natural bug repellent from a farmer’s market down in the williamsburg, virginia (yes, in merchant’s square and yes, i worked in the colonial area back then) area a couple years ago. one of the main ingredients is vodka (but the label warns you not to drink)! check your local farmer’s market to see if
The Bite
You’ll have zip-zero if you try natural ant control methods. Effective but less toxic than conventional options, those little mandible-rubbers will find themselves out on their bare butts in no time.
The Benefits
- Getting a leg up on pests. You can look forward to a house that feels more home than ant farm.
- Living to see many more moons. Researchers have linked the ingredients in the usual pesticide suspects (think: Raid) to cancer and other diseases. Options made from naturally occurring minerals, such as borax/boric acid, work great without the health concerns.
- Less panting from your pet (and wildlife). No surprise here: Conventional ant-killers can cause nervous-system issues and other problems in dogs, birds, fish, capuchin monkeys…
Personally Speaking
The borax mix Sara whipped up two years ago might’ve scared ‘em off for good - her old Portland roommate (who still lives at her old place) hasn’t reported any ants since.
Wanna Try?
- Keep your place spic-and-span and the ants will have fewer reasons to invade.
- Organix South Neem Oil for the Garden - old-school pest remedy from India that’ll drive ‘em away; a little smelly, so reserve it for use outside the house ().
- Bioganic Home & Garden Spray - ants will avoid the clove, sesame, and thyme oils in this spray ().
- 20 Mule Team Borax - pick up some borax and follow this home recipe; the ants’ll bite it back at their hill ().
- Drax Ant Bait - quick-’n'-easy boric acid bait; just squirt some wherever the ants are marching ().
- DIY Bite: Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar or soapy water, and fire at will. Or, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, chalk, cinnamon, and/or mint placed at the ants’ entry point will turn ‘em right back around.
- from idealbite.com
also, we have lots of marigolds in pots on our deck to repel mosquitoes, too. these flowers are vibrant in color and do great in sunny spots (like my deck). planting marigolds near/in your garden repels those little buggies from munching on your healthy snacks, too.
and btw, if you ever find yourself in disney’s animal kingdom in orlando go to the bug’s life 4-D show. its super cute.
Read the entire gorgeously green post at http://community.livejournal.com/gorgeouslygreen/13248.html
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